Governor J.B. Prizker on Wednesday proposed a $49.6 billion budget for the next fiscal year during the annual State of the State and Budget speech to the Illinois General Assembly.

Pritzker touted his efforts to pay down the state’s debts and fund initiatives such as having preschool for every child in the state in need and more investment in funding for underprivileged college students along with covering tuition for more people attending community college.

The governor is also proposing a new program called Home Illinois to help prevent and end homelessness in the state. 

Republican 75th District State Representative Jed Davis, of Newark, says the state’s spending proposal is heading in the wrong direction. Davis says he wanted to hear more on lowering taxes.

The governor now needs to get the plan approved by the General Assembly.